AU4243402A

AU4243402A - Transport device for moulding boxes in a mogul system

Info

Publication number: AU4243402A
Application number: AU42434/02A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Fred Schafer
Original assignee: Werner Makat & Co KG GmbH
Current assignee: Makat Candy Technology GmbH
Priority date: 2001-05-18
Filing date: 2002-05-21
Publication date: 2002-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-21
Also published as: DE10124224B4; DE10124224A1; AU778069B2

Description

53750 GEH:PFB P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: WERNER MAKAT GMBH CO KG Actual Inventor: FRED SCHAFER Address for Service: COLLISON CO., 117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 Invention Title: TRANSPORT DEVICE FOR MOULDING BOXES IN A MOGUL SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: TRANSPORT DEVICE FOR MOULDING BOXES IN A MOGUL SYSTEM The invention relates to a device for transportation of moulding boxes ,::ontaining moulding powder through several processing stations in a mogul system, ,consisting of at least two guides which support the moulding boxes during transportation, and a transport device which can be actuated in stages, with two carriers assignE!d to each moulding box.

Mogul systems are systems in which confectionery products are manufact ired from moulding powder. In this context, the form of the confectionery products is; stamped as impressions in moulding boxes filled with moulding powder. In order to retain the stamped impressions for the form of the confectionery products, it is then inecessary that the moulding boxes filled with moulding powder should be transported as gently and as smoothly as possible through the processing stations of the mogul system, and in particular to the processing stations configured as the casting static n. In this context, the maximum speed of operation of the entire mogul syster'i will be conditioned by smoothness of movement. For such transportation of moulding boxes filled with moulding powder, there is known the use of a transport installation consisting of at least two continuously circulating chains, equipped wit i carriers which continually move in the vacant space between two consecutive moulding boxes. In the case of such mogul systems, the chains of the transport installation move partly through processing stations loaded with moulding powder, in which context there is an inevitable entrainment of moulding powder. However, i- order to prevent this, the transport installation consisting of chains is subdivided in:o several sections, which inevitably necessitates particular transfers. Although this prevents the escape of moulding powder, it necessitates increased expenditure In the transfer area between two transport installations consisting of chains, howe /er, there is the risk that the moulding boxes filled with moulding powder may not be transferred smoothly. In this context, it should also be taken into account that the chains of the transport installation will become elongated over a period of time, which also jeopardises smooth transportation. Furthermore, there are known for the transportation of moulding boxes "working beams" which are fitted with carriers and which are located below the moulding boxes. In this context, the carriers for the movement of the moulding boxes are set at a distance behind them and in a transportation position which gives rise to the result that the carriers do not arrive at the moulding boxes until a short distance has been covered, which also prevents smooth transportation.

Consequently, the invention is based on the objective of producing a c-evice for transportation of moulding boxes containing moulding powder through several processing stations in a mogul system, which assures gentle, and in particular smooth transportation of the moulding boxes filled with moulding powder through the processing stations, and particularly to the casting station. At the same tinie, this is intended to produce an optimum cycle of transportation at a maximum speed of operation.

In order to resolve this objective, there is proposed under the invention in a device of the type described above a solution whereby the carriers are mounled at a predetermined distance from each other on two bars which are mounted in ai pivoting arrangement which permits of displacement, and whereby both of the bars are assigned a common pivot drive and a common feed drive.

In such a device, the carriers are pivoted laterally between the moulding bf.xes and are located directly behind them. This assures smooth transportation. This is achieved by the bars in their displaceable mounting, which assures an optimum movement cycle and the maximum speed of operation of the mogul system.

Further characteristics of a device as per the invention are disclosed in ClairnIs 2 and 8.

The invention is explained in greater detail below in the light of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing in simplified form. The Figures c;nd their subjects are as follows: Figure 1: A sectional view of a transport device as per the invention.

Figure 2: An enlarged carrier as per Figure 1 in its base position and Figure 3: The carrier as per Figure 2 in its transportation position.

In Figure 1 of the drawing, there is illustrated a section only of the transport device of a "mogul system" by means of which confectionery products are manufactured from moulding powder, and by means of which the moulding boxes 1 filled with moulding powder are transported through the individual processing stations, particularly the casting station, of the mogul system in the direction of arrow 2. In the first instance, this device consists of two bars 3 which in the illustrated specimen embodiment are configured as a tube. Each of the two bars 3 is located to one side of and slightly below moulding boxes 1. Bars 3 are located outside of the actual machine components of the mogul system. The two bars 3 run perpendicular to the plane of the drawing at a distance from each other such that in Figure 1 of the drawing only the bar 3 located at the front is visible. In Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing furthermore, only one bar 3 is illustrated, it being stated that the second bar 3 together with all of the corresponding components for displacement and rotation of it is set in a mirrorimage arrangement and with a spacing.

In the illustrated specimen embodiment, each bar 3 is picked up by several guide rollers 4 mounted in an arrangement permitting of rotation, which are nounted laterally to a frame 5. These guide rollers 4 on their surface area exhibit a p,:ripheral groove 6 which is precisely matched to the diameter of bars 3. By this mean.:;, bars 3 are reliably guided on their underside. In order to prevent bars 3 from beinp' able to escape from groove 6 of guide rollers 4, several guide pieces 7 are envisaged above each bar 3 on frame On guide rollers 4 it is possible for bars 3 to be displaced in an axial direction. For this purpose, a coupling 8 engages each bar 3, and it is permanently mounlsd on a "displacement drive" 9. This displacement drive 9 consists of two deflector r(llers which pick up a continuous belt 11, for example a toothed belt, or a chain. By means of a drive 12 with a servo motor 13, it is possible for belt 11 always to be rroved to and fro in the direction of double-arrow 14. In this context, the "working stro e" and also the return stroke which relates to it will correspond precisely to the intervening distance between two consecutive moulding boxes 1.

On each bar 3 there are mounted several levers 15 which are disposed in the axial direction of bar 3 at a predetermined distance from each other. This dista:nce also corresponds precisely to a central distance between two moulding boxes 1. If levers are then mounted on bar 3 using a type of tubular bearing shell, then levers can be extremely precisely aligned at the required distance from each other. At the free end of each lever 15 there is mounted a carrier 16 which, in plan view i Figure 1) is trapezoidal in section. In this context, the widest part of the carrier correiponds to the distance enclosed between two moulding boxes 1. Levers 15 with c:irriers 16 normally adopt the position illustrated in Figure 2, in which carriers 16 are: inactive.

For transportation of moulding boxes 1, levers 15 together with carriers 16 are pivoted to the position as per Figure 3. In this context, a carrier arrives from ,3ach side at a position between two consecutive moulding boxes 1. As soon as c;rriers 16 have reached this position as per Figure 3, displacement drive 9 is switch d on for the required transport stroke. As soon as this transport stroke is completec, carriers 16 are pivoted back to their position as per Figure 2. Thereafter, displacement drive 9 returns to its original position as per Figure 1. During transportation, moulding boxes I are supported on guide rails whose presence is merely inferred.

For pivoting of levers 15 with carriers 16, there is mounted on each bar 3 a lever 17 in which a displaceable bar 18 engages. Both bars 18, one for each bar 3 Iccated on either side of moulding boxes, are connected in a known form of articulalion on a plate or disk which can be rotated by a servo motor with transmiss on to a predetermined angle. In this context, bars 18 are displaced and levers 15 together with their carriers are pivoted. In this context, the magnitude of the angle of rotation of the actuated plate or disk precisely corresponds to the criterion that lvers together with carriers 16 have to be pivoted from their position as per Figure: 2 to the position as per Figure 3, and back.

By way of variation from the explained exemplary embodiment it is possible t.r bars 3 to be mounted and guided differently. Displacement drive 9 and the pivot Ilrive can be configured differently.

Claims

1. Device for transportation of moulding boxes containing mouldinj powder through several processing stations of a mogul system, consisting of at least two guides which support the moulding boxes during transportation, and a transportation installation which can be actuated in stages, with tw3 carriers each assigned to a moulding box, characterised in that the carrier:; (16) are mounted on two bars pivotably and displaceably mounted on either side of the moulding boxes at a predetermined distance from each oth)r, and in that a common pivot drive (18) and a common displacement drve is assigned to both bars

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the carriers (16) are configured as conical cams which fill in the intermediate space between two moulding boxes

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the bars are guided in a displaceable arrangement on rollers

4. Device as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the bars are configured as tubes.

Device as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the displacement drive is configured as a reversible chain or belt drive which is coupled with both bars

6. Device as claimed in.claim 5, characterised in that a servo motor is assigned to the displacement drive

7. Device as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the pivot drive (18) is configured as a rotatable plate which is connected with one of the two bars

8. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that a servo motor is assigned to the plate.

9. Device for transportation of moulding boxes containing moulding powder through several processing stations of a mogul system substantially.as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. Dated this 21st day of May 2002 WERNER MAKAT GMBH CO KG By their Patent Attorneys COLLISON CO s